About the Book

Book: The New Neighbors

Author: Tamara G. Cooper

Genre: Cozy Suspense

Release date: September 6, 2023

Something isn’t right

Just when Sophie thinks life is returning to normal again, new neighbors move in next door. Right from the start, she senses that something’s off, something isn’t right…

Strange things begin to happen. Murders. Drones stalking her. Her home ransacked. Someone chasing her, hunting her. What is going on?

Burke Maguire, an old boyfriend who recently returned to their hometown as a police officer, isn’t as available to her as he was with their first case. He knows she’s in trouble, so why isn’t he helping her? Something isn’t right…

As she freefalls deeper and deeper into danger, she must outsmart the people after her, but will she figure out the who and why in time to stop their nefarious plans? And, for heaven’s sake, where is Burke when she needs him?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tamara G. Cooper lives in Texas with her husband, one son, and four dogs. She enjoys the simple things of life: picnics, hiking, swimming, church, friends. She loves writing suspense with a touch of romance.

More from Tamara

Who can you trust? Looking into your best friend’s eyes, have you ever wondered if you really know her? Is who she’s presenting to the world—to you—really her?

How would you know if it is or isn’t?

Sophie O’Brion is a bestselling author in The New Neighbors. She’s a little quirky, funny, curious to a fault, daring, and loves writing murder mysteries that answer these very questions.

But what if these questions pop up in her life? An old boyfriend that she hasn’t seen in years comes back to Forman Falls and wants to be friends with her again. Should she trust him? Then, new neighbors move in next door, and she suspects something isn’t right. Strange things begin to happen. Murders. Drones stalking her. Her home ransacked. Someone chasing her, hunting her.

What is going on?

Who can she trust? Anyone?

I hope you read The New Neighbors, Book 2 of the Sophie O’Brion Mysteries series. I would suggest you first read The Vacant House, Book 1. Enjoy!

Interview with Tamara

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always “written” so there wasn’t a moment that I thought, “I want to be a writer.” To become a published writer, my mother was instrumental in telling me that I could do it. And my husband. He was a believer from the very beginning!

How long does it take you to write a book?

I’ve written a book in about a month, but that is my first draft or outline. Then comes the fun part of making it into a book. That can take months.

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing?

Honestly? I have no schedule, per se. I work when I feel like it. I know some authors might be cringing as I write that, but I get things done that need to be done in the morning, and then I start writing. When the kids were young, I’d write at night to the hum of the clothes dryer. Now that only one son is left in the home (and turning 18 this month!), I can write pretty much when I want.

What are your favorite books to read?

I love romance. I’m a scaredy-cat, so I don’t read things that are scary, although I love writing stories that are terrifying at times. I love lite romantic suspense (scaredy-cat, again), and I love history non-fiction.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

My first book wasn’t published, but I was in my teens. I called it “The Dance” and an agent loved it and picked me up as a client.

How do you create your main characters? 

I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer. That means that I don’t outline. I just sit down and write when I have an idea. The characters tell me the plot and who they are. That sounds weird, I know, but Stephen King is an SOTP writer as well. Someone once convinced me that I needed to write an outline, so I did, and I thought it was a good book. But when I sat down to write it, I couldn’t because I’d already written it in the outline! So, outlines are death knolls for me!

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Finding the time to stay with an idea is the most difficult part of writing a book for me. I can be hot into a plot and then life intervenes, and I lose the momentum. Finding it again is so difficult, although I never quit. I keep going until the work is done!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love swimming and picnics and just being outside. Hiking is another favorite. To feel the wind on my face up in the mountains on a lonely trail is so fulfilling to me, but only with my husband with me. I usually turn such an idyllic setting into a place for murder, which is exciting to me as a writer. I have a couple of books that were motivated by a hiking trip!

What does your family think of your writing?

My husband just read “The New Neighbors” and told me he couldn’t put it down, so that was nice to hear! My immediate family are used to me writing that I don’t think they think about it anymore. It’s just who I am. I’m a storyteller. I loved making up stories for my 5 sons when they were younger. I wanted them to love words, to love stories, to love reading.

Do you base your characters on real people?

I think that’s the most fun thing about characterization is realizing who a character resembles. “The New Neighbors” is a first-person story about Sophie, a mystery writer from East Texas who gets into all kinds of trouble. A friend of mine from Kansas, who had just finished the book, wrote to me and said that every time Sophie spoke, she could hear me in her! So, yes, my characters look like people I actually know!

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

If for some reason I can’t go forward with a storyline, I delete the last scene (I keep it in a safe place, though) and then begin again. I don’t get writer’s block very often, but that’s what I do if I think I made a wrong turn.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

The most surprising thing I learned in creating my books is that I “see” my plots like a movie. I just write what I see. I’m hyper-observant, so that works for me. Maybe other authors do that as well.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve written more than I’ve published, but “The New Neighbors” is #8 published for me. The Sophie books (Sophie O’Brion Mysteries) are such fun to write! Each of my books is a favorite for various reasons, so I couldn’t just choose one.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

All of my books are on amazon.com.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’m always writing. I have a book called “Islands” (a working title) that intrigues me about an abused woman whose husband accidentally dies in a wreck, but his body is never found. She suspects he faked his death to stalk her. It’s a little scarier than my other books, but I am sure enjoying writing it! I love being in control as the writer of a scary book!

Thank you, Gina, for having me on your blog! I so enjoyed it!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 14

Stories By Gina, April 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 15

Texas Book-aholic, April 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 18 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, April 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 20

A Reader’s Brain, April 21 (Author Interview)

Lights in a Dark World, April 21

For Him and My Family, April 22

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 23

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 24

Artistic Nobody, April 25 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, April 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tamara is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2afe1/the-new-neighbors-celebration-tour-giveaway